Offering Gifts to Some Women on Christmas

What some sisters have said to you, that this action is something that is not permitted, is correct, because it involves imitating the kuffaar in two ways.

Firstly it involves celebrating this festival, which is something that is haraam according to sharee’ah, including offering gifts on this festival.

Secondly, it involves imitating the kaafirs in these customs on the day of their celebration of that innovated festival.

In Islam we have only Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adhaa. Any other festivals that have been innovated besides these two amount to nothing, especially if they are the religious festivals of other religions or groups that are beyond the pale of Islam.

This matter opens the door to bid’ah, and it comes under the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari,al-Sulh2499; Muslim, 1718). And Allaah knows best.